Promotion-chasing Huddersfield YMCA make a couple of changes in the pack for tomorrow’s clash with Alnwick at Laund Hill.
Fresh from their excellent win at North I East leaders Cleckheaton, coach Jody Shaw is rotating a couple of players to keep things fresh.
Sam Slater goes into the front row with Josh Wrafter reverting to the bench, while Stu Dyke takes over in the second row from Jack Housley.
Shaw explained: “It’s been a close call between those guys recently, and this weekend Sam and Stu get the starting slots.
“We’ve got the sort of squad where we can rotate things when necessary and competition is always a good thing, because we need to keep performing and putting points on the board.”
While, delighted by the 12-8 success against Cleckheaton at Moorend, Shaw says that will count for nothing unless YM produce the goods again in front of their own supporters.
“We need to be smart,” he said. “Alnwick are a completely different type of opposition to Cleckheaton, but it’s still vital we play our game and not worry about how they will play.
“Cleckheaton threw everything at us last week – including the kitchen sink – but we soaked up the pressure and carried on playing our game plan. That’s how we have to do it.”
YM won 14-8 at Alnwick in November. Shaw added: “It was torrential rain all day and it made it very close.
“I expect them to come to our place full of confidence because they have had some good results of late, so it’s absolutely vital we keep focused on what we are doing.
“Forget last week at Cleckheaton, that’s gone now. We have to concentrate on producing our game plan against Alnwick, nothing else.”
YMCA – Matt Johnson, Gavin Stead, Adam Ryder, Ed Barber, Lloyd Bentley, Tom Wood, Josh Willans, Sam Slater, Ben Hill, Steve Dyke, James Bell, Stu Dyke, Tom Sharrock, Sam Hodge, Mark Whitehead. Bench: Niall Murphy, Josh Wrafter, Jack Housley.
